Associated PressChicago Blackhawks right wing Marian Hossa is taken off the ice on a stretcher after getting by Phoenix Coyotes left wing Raffi Torres during Game 3 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at The United Center in Chicago on Tuesday.

Raffi Torres has been suspended indefinitely for an illegal, predatory hit that put Chicago Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa in the hospital, the NHL announced Wednesday.

Hossa was knocked unconscious and taken to the hospital by ambulance, but the Blackhawks released a statement after the game - a 3-2 Phoenix win in overtime - saying that Hossa had been released, and that a full recovery was expected.

Hossa was cutting toward center ice after losing the puck when Torres came laterally, left his feet and drove his shoulder into Hossa's chin. Torres was not penalized for the play.

"It was a brutal hit," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said. "I saw exactly what happened. It was right in front of me. How four guys missed it was hard. The refereeing tonight was a disgrace."

Torres is one of the dirtiest players in the league and has shown no ability or interest in changing his ways after several fines and suspensions.

He was fined $2,500 in December for elbowing Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jan Hejda and three days later suspended for two games after charging Nate Prosser. As a member of the Vancouver Canucks last season, he was suspended for the final two regular season games and two playoff games for elbowing Edmonton Oilers forward Jordan Eberle in the head.

Asked if he was concerned about coming off his skates to make the hit, Torres said: "I'm not going to answer that.

"I felt like it was a hockey play. I was just trying to finish my hit out there," he said.